Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Jonea Fallon

"Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?"

"Yes," I answered confidently. "I'm going to take the bus."

Owen shrugged his shoulders. "Up to you. Besides, it would be spending my time if I had to take you to campus first. I'm already late because you woke up late."

"Sorry," is all I can say to Owen. He even prepared breakfast for me.

"Are you sure you don't want to be escorted? Do you know the place? Do you know which bus to take?"

I gulped. He said I was a bother but seemed worried about letting me go to campus alone.

"Stay cool. I've learned everything." I showed him the schedule and bus route from the brochure at the nearest bus stop. "Blue Sapphire University, arts faculty, fine arts department, right? Bus on route 21."

"It's good that you understand."

Owen leaves first in his car.

Half an hour later, I got off the bus and stood in front of the gates of a very grand and famous university in Blue Sapphire.

I froze there, staring at the big sign above the entrance gate. "What the hell? Abraham University? Wait, I think I got on the wrong bus."

I rummage through my phone in my bag and do a quick internet search.

"Blue Sapphire University is another name for Abraham University. The name Blue Sapphire was universally applied since two years ago…."

Damn it!

I put the phone back in the bag.

Why do I have to come back here? Even though the university and high school buildings were located in different places, seeing the same name gave me goosebumps. Is there no other university I can go to?

I'd better go home!

My chest suddenly pounded. Anger, sadness, and fear were bubbling up in my chest. I feared I would meet again with the same people who had attended Abraham High School.

"What if they recognize me? Anyway, I've decided!" I hit my right fist to the left palm.

"What have you decided?"

My ears are twitching. A pair of my eyes opened wide. I dare not look back. I… didn't mistake that voice.

She must not look at me, or the lousy past will repeat itself.

I walked quickly away from that person. I could hear the sound of her shoes running closer. She's following me? Damn it!

"Jofa! I know it's you. Why are you running from me? Jofa, wait!"

I ran out into the street without noticing my surroundings. A car was driving very fast towards me from the left. The sound of the horn was deafening.

Jump, Jonea, jump! I ordered to myself. But I was too shocked that I couldn't move.

Someone grabbed my arm from behind. She pulled me real hard just before the car squeezed its brakes to a stop.

We both fell, tumbling to the side of the road.

"Hey, your eyes are blind, huh?" shouted the driver as he drove away.

I'm still in shock.

"Jofa! You hurt?" She crawled towards me and tried to help me sit up. "You are okay? Are you hurt?"

Our eyes meet. I really miss her. I wanted to cry, but I tried to hold myself back.

"I'm fine. Sorry… and thanks for helping me."

My hands and knees feel sore, probably scratched on the asphalt. I try to ignore the pain. In a few seconds, the wound will also disappear. I got up and limped away from her.

"Jonea Fallon, stop right there!"

I froze.

"If you keep going, I will never forgive you!"

I quickly wiped away the tears I didn't realize were dripping down my cheeks. I said coldly to her without looking up.

“Sorry, Miss. You're wrong. My name isn't Jonea Fallon."

I stepped back with a limp. The further away, my feet are back to heal.

"Nonsense. Fucking girl. Stop you there! Jofa! I absolutely won't forgive you if you ignore me."

I can't lie to myself. I stopped with a downcast face. My hair covered part of my face.

I heard her step closer to me and grab my arm. She forced me to turn around. Now we face each other.

"I don't care what your name is right now. But you are still the JOFA–Jonea Fallon that I always miss!"

Our tears broke.

"Oh, Marilyn!" Finally, the name came out of my lips.

We hugged on the side of the road with tears streaming down. People stared and watched us in astonishment.

"You… are so mean to pretend you don't recognize me!" protested Marilyn Monroe.

"Oh, Marilyn…" I whispered over and over. I let go of her hug and wiped away the tears. "Please, pretend we don't know each other. I don't want you to get into any more danger by being close to me."

"Nonsense! I don't care even if I must die and live again hundreds of times with the same suffering as long as I remain your friend!"

We hugged again. After calming down, I showed Marilyn my new ID.

"Jonea Rawling? Your real surname?" She looked amazed.

"I'll tell you later." I was hesitant and worried about involving Marilyn again in a thorny matter. "Are you studying here too?"

"Yes, of course. Where else is the best art faculty if not at Abraham University?"

"Oh, Moon Goddess. It seems we are destined to be friends until death. Are we also going to be in the same class?"

"Who knows. Let's go in and find out. Were you planning on running away?"

I didn't answer.

"Oh, are you afraid that you will meet Hunter here?"

My face turned pale.

***

I passed the first day of new student orientation at Abraham University peacefully. As much as possible, I closed and limited myself to not stand out and attract people's attention.

Throughout that day, I kept my guard up. Me and Marilyn were in different classes. I may be grateful for being able to keep my distance from her. I don't want Marilyn to get in trouble because of me.

I quickly left the class.

Marilyn patted my shoulder from behind quite hard. “Hey, how are you? Did you manage to make new friends? Why do you look gloomy today? Are you sick, Jofa–I mean Jonea?"

I just shook my head.

"You want to avoid me?" Marilyn glared at me. "You don't need to worry. Later in the joint class, we will also meet. You have to open up to new friends. Okay?"

I'm still glum and shook my head. "I don't want to be friends with anyone. I am really traumatized by the things that have happened to me before."

"Let's make it like this. I and some of my new friends agreed to go to a club tonight. How about you come along? You have a lot to tell me!"

"Club?" I started to panic. "I don't think I can. Because I can't be in a crowded place right now."

"Oh, come on, Jonea. After two years, I don't know how you are, and now we are reunited. Please!"

I can never refuse Marilyn's request. She's the only friend I have right now.

"Okay," I replied with a heavy sigh.

Marilyn jumped for joy.

"Shall we go now?"

She glared at me. "You're going to the club in that dress?"

I looked down at my clothes. Loose jeans and shirts. It is not suitable for the club.

"Okay, I'll go home and get changed. We'll meet at the club."

"Do you need my help? I can pick you up. Where do you live now?"

I can't tell Marilyn where I live now, especially with the monster in the house.

"You don't have to bother picking me up. Wait for me in front of the club."

I go home on the same bus. On the way home, I kept thinking about one thing.

"How is it that Marilyn still holds on to the Blue Sapphire? Yet she is a human. It is clear in the regulations of this country. No more humans can live freely here unless…"